Welcome to the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

The purpose of this program is to increase water safety and prevent drowning in Florida by providing free swimming lessons to eligible Florida families.

 

What is needed to apply for a voucher?

• Proof of income (family income of no more than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines).
• Proof of Florida residency.
• Child’s date of birth (only children ages four and younger at the time of application are eligible).

Apply for a Swim Lesson Voucher

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Swim Instructor / Vendor Information

What is required to become a swim instructor?

• Instructor certification by the American Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., or other nationally recognized aquatic training programs, approved by Florida Department of Health.
• Current certification in administering first aid.
• Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Completion of a Level 1 background screening or attestation of an already completed Level 1 background screening within the past five years. If a Level 1 background screening has not yet been completed, this can be accomplished through a local background screening company.

If you plan to provide adaptive swim lessons, the Department will contact the Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., to verify your certification is active.

  

Register to become a Swim Lessons Vendor

 

How are swim instructors reimbursed for accepted vouchers?

• Active registration in MyFloridaMarketPlace with an up-to-date W9 is required.
• After an approved vendor is contacted by a voucher holder for swim lessons, and BEFORE providing lessons, that vendor must contact the county health department identified on that voucher. The county health department will confirm the voucher based on its number and the child’s name and will create or amend a purchase order to reimburse the vendor for completed lessons.
  • Contact county health departments for voucher verification and billing purposes.
  • Once lessons are completed, contact the county health department for instructions on how to process your payment.

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Water Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

Drowning… is fast … silent… and can happen to anyone. Drowning does not discriminate. It can happen in the few minutes a distraction can take you away from the water to answer the phone or run inside for a towel. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death to children ages 1 through 4 in Florida.

Where Drownings Occur
Most infant drownings occur in just a few inches of water such as a bathtub or bucket. Home swimming pools are where most children ages 1 to 4 are likely to drown. Children ages 5 years through adulthood are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water. Each body of water comes with its own safety steps, many of which overlap.